New Report Describes Reform Coming to the Broken Cash Bail System

The Pretrial Justice Institute has released a report, “Where Pretrial Improvements are Happening,” about progress being made in improving pretrial practices. In an interview, Cherise Fanno Burdeen, the CEO of the Pretrial Justice Institute, talked about these issues within North Carolina. Burdeen pointed out the cash-bail system, the for-profit bail bond industry, and pre-trail services that vary by county and are generally underfunded. However, the report also identifies movement within the state toward reform. For example, judges have been using their power for reform within existing statutes. Ultimately, the report calls for a pretrial risk assessment tool to replace cash-bail. Burdeen noted that real reform will come from state law changes and changes from higher courts. Learn more here.